Even with everything that’s going on in the world of trade and commerce, China is still the best place to source products for your online store. It accounts for 31.6% of global manufacturing output, making it the world’s largest supplier of everything from electronics and clothing to home goods and niche items.
If you want high-quality products at near-factory prices, buying directly from Chinese manufacturers is the smartest strategy. While platforms like Alibaba, Global Sources, and DHgate are popular among wholesale buyers, they’re not the focus of today’s discussion.
Instead, we’re exploring a lesser-known but incredibly powerful sourcing platform—1688.com. This is a platform that I, along with many other successful online sellers, have been using to find products that give me a serious bang for my buck.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about sourcing from 1688, including how to set up an account, find reliable suppliers, negotiate better deals, and manage shipping.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business, learning how to source directly from 1688 can give you a major competitive edge.
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1688 offers factory-direct prices that are often 30-50% lower than Alibaba, making it a powerful sourcing tool for online sellers willing to navigate its challenges.
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Since 1688 is built for the Chinese domestic market, international buyers must overcome language barriers, payment restrictions, and logistics hurdles.
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Working with a trusted sourcing agent can simplify the process by handling supplier verification, negotiations, and shipping arrangements.
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Ordering samples before placing a bulk order is crucial to ensuring product quality and avoiding costly mistakes.
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Despite recent trade policy changes affecting small shipments, bulk ordering and strategic logistics planning can help sellers maintain profitability.
What is 1688, and how does it differ from other ecommerce platforms?
1688.com is a Chinese wholesale platform owned by Alibaba Group, but it works very differently from Alibaba. While Alibaba is built for international buyers, 1688 is meant for the domestic Chinese market.
This one difference alone makes a huge impact on pricing. Since suppliers on 1688 aren’t adjusting their rates for foreign buyers or factoring in international shipping, the prices are often significantly lower.
In fact, many of the suppliers you see on Alibaba are actually sourcing their products from 1688 and then reselling them at higher prices. That means if you’re buying from Alibaba, you’re likely paying a markup on something you could have sourced cheaper if you had access to 1688.
1688 isn’t like Amazon or eBay, where individual consumers can just add something to a cart and check out. It’s a strictly B2B platform designed to connect Chinese manufacturers and wholesalers with businesses.
A lot of sellers on platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and even Alibaba are actually getting their inventory from 1688 first, cutting out unnecessary middlemen to maximize profits.
I remember when I first realized this—it felt like I had unlocked a secret supply chain shortcut. The challenge, though, was figuring out how to actually use 1688 as a non-Chinese buyer.
One of the biggest hurdles is that 1688 is entirely in Chinese. There’s no official English version, and suppliers expect to communicate in Chinese. This can make it feel impossible to use at first, but there are workarounds.
Some sellers use translation tools, while others hire sourcing agents who handle everything—from negotiations to payments and shipping.
Personally, I found that working with a reliable sourcing agent was the way to go. They not only helped me navigate the language barrier but also ensured I wasn’t getting overcharged or scammed.
Another thing that makes 1688 tricky for international buyers is payment. Unlike Alibaba.com, which accepts multiple international payment methods, 1688 typically requires a Chinese payment system like Alipay linked to a local Chinese bank account.
That’s another reason why many foreign buyers either set up business connections in China or work through agents who can handle transactions on their behalf.
But despite these challenges, the cost savings from using 1688 can be massive. If you’re serious about cutting down product costs and increasing your margins, it’s worth the effort.
Once I figured out how to buy directly from 1688, I saw a noticeable drop in my sourcing costs—sometimes by as much as 30–50% compared to Alibaba. Of course, it takes some trial and error, but once you crack the code, it can completely change the way you source products for your business.
Is 1688 a legitimate and safe option for international buyers?
Understandably, international buyers like us often worry about legitimacy, safety, and reliability when sourcing from a foreign platform. The short answer is yes—1688 is a legitimate and widely trusted platform in China.
As a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, it operates under a well-established ecosystem that prioritizes business transactions and supply chain efficiency.
However, since it was designed primarily for domestic Chinese businesses, international buyers need to take extra steps to ensure a smooth purchasing experience. While 1688 offers access to incredibly low wholesale prices, it comes with challenges that foreign buyers must navigate carefully.
As mentioned earlier, language barriers and payment restrictions are part of the challenge when using 1688. While there’s always a possibility that Alibaba will expand the platform or introduce features to make it more accessible to international buyers, there’s no clear timeline for when—or if—that will happen.
Until then, buyers must find your own workarounds to navigate these obstacles.
Although scams on 1688 are relatively rare, due diligence is still necessary. Unlike Alibaba.com, which has structured verification processes for global buyers, 1688’s verification standards are tailored for the domestic market.
Some suppliers may look reputable but have inconsistent product quality or misleading descriptions. To minimize risks, buyers should check supplier profiles carefully, looking at transaction history and customer feedback.
As with any other ecommerce platforms, established sellers with a solid track record are generally more reliable. Requesting samples before placing large orders is another crucial step, as product quality can vary significantly between suppliers.
When possible, using Alipay’s escrow services or another secure payment method provides extra protection against fraud. Hiring an experienced sourcing agent can further reduce risks by verifying suppliers, inspecting products before shipment, and negotiating better deals.
Shipping and logistics can also be a major challenge. Unlike Alibaba, where many suppliers offer international shipping options, 1688 sellers typically cater to businesses within China.
Many do not handle international shipping at all, leaving you to arrange freight forwarding on your own. This adds another layer of complexity, as you must find a reliable logistics provider to manage shipping and customs clearance.
Import regulations vary by country, and failing to comply with local laws can lead to products being held at customs or facing unexpected fees. Experienced freight forwarders or logistics partners can help streamline this process, ensuring that products arrive safely and on time.
Despite these challenges, 1688 remains an excellent option for sourcing products at lower prices compared to Alibaba.com. The cost savings can be significant, making it worth the extra effort for those who take the time to understand the platform.
How does 1688 ensure that suppliers maintain high product quality?
A common concern when sourcing from 1688 is whether lower prices mean lower quality. While it’s true that the platform offers some incredibly cheap products, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re low quality.
1688 suppliers range from small-scale manufacturers to massive factories that produce goods for well-known global brands. Some of the same factories supplying major retailers in the US also sell directly on 1688 at wholesale prices.
Again, 1688 was built for domestic Chinese businesses. This means it operates under different verification and quality control processes. The platform has measures in place to verify suppliers, but that alone isn’t enough to guarantee top-tier quality.
It’s up to you as a buyer to do your own due diligence. One way to assess supplier reliability is by checking their Gold Supplier Status, which is typically given to businesses with a solid track record of fulfilling orders. But even with this badge, it’s still important to dig deeper.
Factory audits and certifications are another key factor—some suppliers have ISO certifications or product compliance reports, which indicate that they meet industry standards.
If you’re selling in the US, checking for compliance with FDA, FCC, or other relevant regulations is crucial, especially for electronics, food-related products, or anything with safety concerns.
Beyond official certifications, transaction history and customer reviews can tell you a lot about a supplier. A supplier that has completed thousands of transactions successfully is generally more trustworthy than one with little order history.
One major advantage of sourcing from 1688 is that many suppliers offer OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) services. This means you’re not just buying generic wholesale products—you can customize and private-label them for your own brand at a much lower cost than working with Western manufacturers.
I’ve personally worked with a supplier who produced high-quality pet products at nearly 30% less than an equivalent supplier on Alibaba. The catch? It took extra effort to communicate product specifications, request samples, and ensure they met my quality expectations before making a bulk purchase.
Ultimately, quality control on 1688 is your responsibility as a buyer. The platform provides useful indicators like supplier badges and transaction data, but they aren’t foolproof.
What is the safest way to source products on 1688?
The easiest and safest way to get started is by using a sourcing agent. They can help you negotiate pricing, verify suppliers, inspect products, and arrange shipping. Without one, navigating the platform can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can still make it work.
Since 1688 is entirely in Chinese, the first step is to translate the website. Installing the Google Translate Chrome Extension makes this much easier, allowing you to switch between Chinese and English automatically. While the translations aren’t perfect, they’re enough to help you browse and understand product listings.
Creating an account used to be restricted to users from China and a few other countries, but now buyers from 136 countries can register. While verification isn’t required, it’s recommended to prevent issues like account freezes. If you already have an account on Taobao, another major Chinese e-commerce platform, you can use it to log into 1688.
Finding products on 1688 can be done in three ways: uploading an image, typing a keyword, or translating your search term into Chinese. Image searches can sometimes bring up irrelevant results, so using Chinese keywords is often the most effective way to find exactly what you need.
Once you find a product, it’s important to evaluate the listing carefully. The prices shown are usually the lowest possible and based on a high minimum order quantity (MOQ).
If you plan to order less than the MOQ, expect a price increase. It’s also a good idea to contact the supplier to check if the product is still in stock since listings don’t always get updated in real time.
1688 suppliers fall into three categories: manufacturers, traders, and scammers. Manufacturers offer the best prices since they produce the goods themselves, while traders act as middlemen and increase costs.
Scammers exist on the platform, so watch out for red flags like extremely low prices, vague company details, and sellers unwilling to provide samples. To ensure you’re dealing with a real manufacturer, look for detailed factory information, product specialization, and industry certifications.
After selecting a supplier, contact them directly. Messages should be detailed, specifying things like material, dimensions, and quantity. Since most sellers don’t use translation tools, translating your message into Chinese before sending can help prevent miscommunication.
Before placing a bulk order, order samples. I once sourced electronic accessories and tested three different suppliers with small sample orders. One delivered high-quality products, while the other two either delayed shipping or sent subpar items. That experience taught me that ordering samples first can prevent major mistakes.
Again, payments on 1688 can be a challenge since the platform mainly supports Chinese payment methods like Alipay linked to a local bank. Some suppliers may accept third-party services or escrow payments, but it’s best to confirm this in advance.
Shipping is another issue since most suppliers cater to local buyers and don’t offer international shipping. Unless the supplier handles logistics, you’ll need a freight forwarder to manage the shipment and customs clearance.
Prepare for delays and incorrect shipments. They’re very common. If an order is late, contact the supplier through WeChat or the 1688 chat system. Keep records of conversations, payments, and agreements. This can help in case of disputes. If a supplier refuses to resolve an issue, a sourcing agent can help negotiate a solution.
Despite its challenges, 1688 offers huge savings compared to platforms like Alibaba.com, where many sellers simply resell products from 1688 at a markup. Take the time to learn the process, use translation tools, verify suppliers, and test products before buying in bulk.
China’s deminimis trade exemption is over. How will this affect me?
Before President Trump’s new tariff policy, Chinese sellers could ship low-value parcels internationally without paying export taxes, making it cheaper and easier for suppliers to send products to US buyers in small quantities.
Now that the US has paused this exemption, sellers exporting goods—even small, low-cost shipments—will need to pay taxes, which could lead to increased costs for you.
So, what does this mean for your online business? If you’ve been relying on 1688 to source products in small batches, you might start seeing higher prices, even for sample orders. Many suppliers will likely pass these new costs onto buyers, meaning you’ll have to factor in additional expenses when calculating your profit margins.
This also affects shipping, as some suppliers who previously offered affordable, small-package shipments may now only accept bulk orders to make the added tax burden worth it.
If you’re a small-scale seller or just starting to source from China, this might feel like a setback, but there are ways to work around it. One strategy is to negotiate better bulk pricing to make up for the added cost—since you’re already paying more in taxes, you might as well get a larger quantity at a lower per-unit price.
If ordering in bulk isn’t an option for you, working with a sourcing agent becomes even more valuable. A good agent can consolidate shipments from multiple suppliers, reducing overall shipping costs and helping you navigate these tax changes efficiently.
Shipping logistics will also require more attention. Since many 1688 suppliers primarily cater to domestic buyers, some may not be familiar with how to adjust for international tax changes.
You’ll need to confirm whether your supplier understands the new policies and, if necessary, find a freight forwarder who can handle customs declarations and ensure that your products clear US import regulations without unexpected fees.
If you’ve been using 1688 to source small test batches before committing to larger orders, you may want to adjust your approach. With export taxes now in place, testing suppliers through sample orders could become more expensive.
This makes it even more important to vet suppliers carefully before making a purchase. Checking their business history, requesting photos or videos of production, and reading customer feedback can help minimize the risk of wasting money on subpar samples.
Overall, while the end of China’s de minimis trade exemption creates new challenges, it doesn’t mean sourcing from 1688 is no longer profitable. It just means you need to adapt.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to refine your strategy—focus on negotiating bulk deals, working with a sourcing agent to consolidate orders, and optimizing your shipping process. The key is staying ahead of these changes so they don’t eat into your margins.
While 1688 is not as beginner-friendly as Alibaba, the cost savings, direct factory connections, and flexible sourcing options make it worth the effort. If you’re serious about cutting costs and increasing profit margins, mastering 1688 sourcing could be a game-changer for your business.
So, are you ready to take the plunge and start sourcing smarter? If you have any experiences or challenges with 1688, drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear how other sellers are making this platform work for them!
